Port of Tillamook Bay Warehouse Business Park open for business

TILLAMOOK - For the first time since the Port of Tillamook Bay announced it was the recipient of millions of dollars in federal and state funds dedicated to revitalizing its industrial park, it welcomed the public to see tangible evidence of its progress.

“What a great day for the Port,” said Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) on June 5, speaking to a crowd of more than 80 people gathered for the grand opening of the Port’s Warehouse Business Park. “We’re Tillamook. We’re going to overcome the economic hardships that have plagued us for years. The table is set for business. This is going to help drive coastal economic revitalization.”

Johnson referred to the three 18,000-square-foot flexible space warehouses that compose the new park, located off Blimp Boulevard at the POTB Industrial Park. Anchor tenant Frito Lay occupies a portion of one building, having moved from another location at the Port Industrial Park, where it was a tenant for 23 years, to the new space on June 5.

Following the storms of December 2007 which damaged the POTB’s railroad system beyond repair, the Port was eligible to receive over $44 million from FEMA for use on Alternate Projects. The Board directed these funds be used to improve the Port’s Industrial Park through remodeling, upgrades and new construction with economic revitalization in mind.

“We have 18 projects,” said Port General Manager Michele Bradley. “This is the first with new construction. This is going to be a whole new port in a few years.”

“These are a series of transformational projects that are literally going to put a new, good face on the Port of Tillamook Bay,” said Johnson.

The senator honored former Port Board president Jerry Dove in her remarks, saying, “It was a risky decision.” She referred to opting to accept funding to improve the Industrial Park in lieu of seeking even more funding to repair the railroad. “There was lots of controversy about it. It was the right decision. These buildings are going to be full of the businesses and jobs that were the promise of these projects. I would also like to acknowledge the steady hand of Michele Bradley. These buildings are a physical result of the good leadership that the Port enjoys.”

“On behalf of the Port, we thank you, Betsy,” said Port of Tillamook Bay Board of Commissioners President Jim Young, to Johnson, who assisted the Port by securing a combination of grants, loans and other financial packages to serve as matching funds, since FEMA pays a 75 percent reimbursement rate.

“This is what we talk about when we talk about partnership,” said Johnson of the project, which involved local, state, federal and private industry.

Each flexible office/warehouse/industrial Warehouse Business Park building features ground-level panel truck access through coiling doors, while one offers a 4-foot-high loading dock for larger truck receiving.

Skanska USA Building, Inc. was the general contractor for the project.

Other upgrades to the POTB Industrial Park include renovation of the former Navy Officers Mess Hall, which involved converting it into a conference space. “The way that the building has been refurbished, it’s just gorgeous,” said Bradley.

The Port will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting at the Officers Hall on June 21.

For more information about leasing space, contact James Peak at (503) 812-6192, (503) 842-2413, extension 121 or jpeak@potb.org.